Page 12 of Brave as It

“Just gonna say this because it’s what I would tell BW,” Tripp begins, “if a woman matters, you put in the work. I think Emmalee matters but busted, you ain’t put in the work. Never in a million years you ask me in my early twenties if I would have an ol’ lady, the answer would be a hell no. Told Doll I wasn’t the man to take home and I wasn’t the man to marry.” He raises his hands up, “you see how all that worked out. Doll is absolutely worth the work even all these years later. I think you know Emmalee is worth the work.”

“All due respect, Tripp, I’m putting in the work my way. Sometimes the things you do in quiet move mountains far faster than the things everyone can see. I’m watching her the best I can and giving her the play she’s asked for. Do not doubt my dedication to Emmalee, but know the man I am, I won’t force her to stay when she clearly left and wants to stay gone.”

“I think you need to loop Kick in,” Boomer states what he’s been saying since we got into this meeting. “At least on the off chance something comes from nothing with this shit.”

My brother can’t know. If things come back too close to home, I’ll be the one who tells him the truth. Right now, this won’t touch him or Diem. I won’t let it.

I wish I could change the way she left. I missed the clues. I close my eyes and my mind goes back.

Her lips hit mine and instantly my soul soothes. Having her home, right here with me, it has changed everything inside me. The months by her side in the hospital were agony. If I could have changed places with her, I would have in a heartbeat.

I never realized the true value in a partner. A real relationship is a give and take. Almost losing her, rocked me. I don’t want to be apart from her. Getting up in the mornings to go to work is a challenge when I want nothing more than to stay in this very bed with her forever. It’s more than sex. She understands my need to sit and hold her some nights to feel herwith me. No words, no movement, just her body wrapped up in my arms close.

I know she needs reassurance. Those early days when her hair had to grow back from the surgery, she felt like less of a woman. I am happy then and now to remind her how beautiful she is inside and out.

I squeeze the back of her neck pressing her closer as I devour her mouth in a sloppy kiss. Without releasing, I turn to my back taking her with me. The hem of her nightie shifts up as my movement forces her to straddle me in order to be comfortable. Her naked pussy slides over my hard length, the only thing between us is the fabric of my boxer briefs. Apparently, she came to bed with this in mind by skipping her panties. Letting go of her neck, I slide my hand between us. My index finger parting her pussy lips gliding into her wet heat. Her body clinches around my digit as she moans before pulling away from our kiss to arch her back and push down on me.

“Wesson, please, tonight, I need you,” she whimpers. It is almost my undoing.

My cock throbs wanting inside her.

Flicking her clit with my thumb while curving my finger inside her she is building to release. Sliding out, I take both hands and grip her thighs. Easily lifting her, I move her juicy cunt to my face.

Inhaling I breathe in her scent. “Fuckin’ heaven,” I mutter before diving in. I lap her pussy like a man in the desert needing a drink. Licking, sucking, nipping, and thrusting I use my tongue and lips to enjoy every centimeter of her pussy.

“Ride me, baby girl.” I instruct. She obliges while I grip her ass, spreading her cheeks and pushing her further down on my face.

She’s writhing as I know she’s close. Moving slightly, I let the tip of my thumb enter her asshole. The added pressureis exactly what she needs to climax. I lap up every drop of her juices while working her through the aftershocks of her orgasm.

When she slows, she slides off my face and down my body. Her hand reaches my length. I groan in want and need. Just as I feel her hit the waistband of my boxers I stiffen before grabbing her wrists.

“Don’t,” I order.

Her face hardens. “Tonight, Wesson. Please, I need this. I need you.”

Something is there. I can feel it. The last two days something isn’t right. It’s not that I don’t want to have sex with Emmalee. It’s not like we haven’t done everything under the sun but have sex. But I know she’s special and I want it to be different for us both. I want it to be this coming together in a permanent way.

“What we shared is beautiful,” she whispers as she shifts off of me. “Why can’t you give me more?” The words come out pained.

“I give you everything I have to give, Emmalee.”

She moves off the bed. “Except this. You can and yet, you won’t.” Without looking at me she goes into the bathroom, and I hear the shower start.

I lay there waiting for her return. It’s been a year of dates, drama, and healing. I want a life with her. A full life where we are both satisfied. How can I make her understand?

She emerges from the shower. Everything feels off. There is a tension like never before. She’s different. Sliding into bed beside me, she immediately settles with her back to me.

“Wesson, I wanted to make love to you. I want to be one with you. Why can’t you give me that?”

Fuck! “I want to drop to one knee and give you my fuckin’ world, baby girl. I can’t. I want to give you everything andmore. I want to have my cock buried so deep inside you that you feel me to your fuckin’ throat. But I can’t.”

“Can’t or won’t, Wesson? I’ve never known a man who can get rock hard and stop a woman from using that erection. Yet, time and again you stop me. You give to me, Wesson. From the way you take care of my body to the way you take care of my heart, but you don’t allow me the same. I can’t get through to your heart. I know you love me; you tell me. But you, I can’t get through this wall with you. What if I’m not here tomorrow? This is how it will forever be the one chance not taken.”

“You have every part of me like no one has before. It’s just sex. And I want it, God help me I fuckin’ want it.”

I hear the sounds of her breathing changing, she’s crying into her pillow. I roll to my side and pull her against me with her back to my chest and my arm wrapped around her stomach.

“Wesson, tomorrow morning, I’m packing a bag. I’m leaving. I need this time to find myself. What we have is special, but it’s not enough anymore.”

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